Pas syura council nod for talks with Umno

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to continue talks on Islam and Malay unity with Umno was endorsed by the Pas’ syura council and its central committee shortly after the first meeting between the two parties.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang revealed yesterday that the first meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had taken place just after the March general election.

Without saying where it was held, Hadi said those who represented Pas in the first meeting were deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, electoral department director Datuk Mustapha Ali and Shah Alam MP Abd Khalid Samad.

“Pas is not denying that there was indeed a series of meetings between the party’s top leadership and the prime minister.

“The talks were held to discuss common issues affecting Muslims and the Malays,” he said in a statement published in the Pas website, Harakahdaily.
On Sunday, Abdullah disclosed that three meetings, centred on Islam and Malay unity, were held between him and top Pas leaders.

Kelantan Menteri Besar and Pas spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, however, did not take part in the talks.

Hadi said following the first meeting, the syura council, Pas’s highest decision-making body, unanimously supported the initiation of further talks.

“The council gave its blessings for the president, deputy president and the secretary-general to work seriously on uniting Muslims and Malaysians on the basis of Islam.”

The second meeting, Hadi revealed further, took place in Parliament, this time only involving Abdullah and Nasharudin.

“A report on the outcome was later submitted to me and the syura council, adding that Pas, on its part, was ready to ensure the success of the talks for the good of Muslims and Malays in the country.”

Pas dewan ulama head Datuk Mohamed Daud called for talks between both parties to be held at all levels and not just among the top leadership.

He was quoted by Harakahdaily as saying that any outcome or resolution from the meetings must be presented for discussion at the Pas general assembly in Ipoh next month.

“The dewan ulama is agreeable with the meetings. Such meetings can be extended to other parties as well if they can foster unity based on Islam.”

Universiti Kebangsaan Ma-laysia political scientist Prof Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff said talks between both parties for the greater good of the Malays and Islam were long overdue.

He said they showed that leaders from both parties were “big hearted” enough to set aside their differences for the common good.

“If the leaders keep telling the masses to unite, then the leaders themselves must prove that are capable of doing so.”

Mohammad Agus said both parties should expect resistance from within, as well as sceptics, but these were normal in politics.

“They should not allow the grouses to derail the talks.

“The talks are very important for unity and should continue.”

By : Ridzwan Abdullah

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